CSB IAS ACADEMY

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TOPIC OF THE DAY (DATE: 28.08.2023)
INDIA-GREECE RELATIONS
“Greece and India are a natural match between two ancient civilisations of the world, between two
ancient democratic ideologies and between two ancient trade and cultural relations” - PM Modi
“India and Greece enjoyed relations stretching back to antiquity”. -Greece PM Mitsotakis
WHY IN NEWS
 Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid a ‘state visit’ to the Greece (Hellenic Republic) after being
invited by Greece PM Kyriakos Mitsotakis.
 Modi’s visit is the first to Greece by an Indian prime minister in 40 years since Indira Gandhi
visited the country in September 1983.
BACKGROUND:
 India and Greece established diplomatic relations in May 1950.
 India opened its resident Embassy in Athens in March 1978.
Political Relations:
 In modern times, the two countries have developed a warm relationship based on a common
commitment to democracy, peace and development in the world and to a social system imbued
with principles of justice and equality.
 India and Greece also share common approaches to many international issues, such as UN
reforms and Cyprus. ABOUT GREECE
Trade Relations:  Greece is the southernmost country in
 The main items of Greece’s exports to India Europe.
are Cotton, scrap (mostly Aluminium, ferrous,  Official Name: Hellenic Republic
copper and lead), marble and granite,  Form of Government: Parliamentary
Aluminium foils, calcium carbonate, kiwi fruits
republic
and greasywood.
 Capital: Athens
Defence Relations:
 MoU on defence cooperation was signed in
 Language: Greek
1998 during the Greek defence minister’s visit  Currency: Euro
to India.  Greece is known for being the cradle of
 Indian and Hellenic Air Forces participated in Western Civilization, the birthplace of
the ‘Blue Flag’ exercise, held in Israel in 2021. democracy, the Olympic Games, and its
 Indian Air Force participated in the ancient history and magnificent
multinational air exercise INIOCHOS-23 hosted temples
by the Hellenic Air Force.
 Greece supports our quest for a permanent seat in an expanded UNSC.
 It supported India at the NSG in 2008 and 2016, MTCR, WASSENAAR arrangements,
Australia Group.
Indian Diaspora:
 There are about 10,000 Indian nationals living in Greece.

Phone No: 9966436874, 8374232308 1

 CSB IAS ACADEMY
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 Most of them are farm, factory or construction workers or small entrepreneurs.
Why Relations with Greece is significant for India?
 Geopolitical Balance: Both countries are strategically positioned at the crossroads of Europe,
Asia, and Africa. Strengthening ties allows them to contribute to regional stability and balance in
these regions.
 Maritime Cooperation: India's 'Act East' policy aligns with Greece's focus on maritime
connectivity through its Blue Growth strategy.
 Energy Security: Greece's role in the East Mediterranean Gas Forum aligns with India's energy
security interests. Collaborating in the energy sector can provide India with reliable sources of
hydrocarbons.
 Defence Cooperation: Military cooperation WHAT IS ‘STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP”?
can enhance defence capabilities and  'Strategic partnership' is a comparatively new
exchange of expertise in areas like naval concept in International Relations.
technology and cybersecurity.  These are less formal than alliances.
HIGHLIGHTS OF PM MODI STATE VISIT TO  The essence of the strategic partnership lies in
GREECE cooperation between the states that share
 India and Greece plan to double their common objectives.
bilateral trade by 2030. (The bilateral trade  Though security issues are central to strategic
in 2022-23: $2 billion). partnerships, the ambit of such partnerships
 Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been can be quite broad, including trade, economy,
conferred with Greece's second-highest technology, and so on.
civilian honour, the Grand Cross of the Order of Honour by Greece President.
 The two Prime Ministers expressed their strong support for the ongoing India-EU trade and
investment negotiations and the early implementation of the India-EU Connectivity Partnership.
 The two leaders decided to upgrade Greek-Indian bilateral ties to the level of a “Strategic
Partnership” and agreed to work to further expand bilateral cooperation in political, security
and economic spheres.
 Both leaders reiterated the need for further broadening and deepening bilateral engagements,
in the field of defence, shipping, science and technology, cyber space, education, culture,
tourism and agriculture.
 They took note of the signing of the MOU on Cooperation in the field of Agriculture, including
the establishment of a Hellenic-Indian Joint Sub-committee on Agriculture for facilitating
sectoral cooperation for mutual benefit.
 They also agreed to encourage direct flights between Greece and India.
 Taking into account the long-standing cultural exchanges between India and Greece, both leaders
welcomed efforts to promote exchanges in all forms of art. They also agreed to encourage joint
efforts in preserving and protecting ancient sites, and strengthen cooperation within UNESCO.
 Both leaders agreed for early finalization of a Mobility and Migration Partnership Agreement
(MMPA), which would facilitate the free movement of workforce between the two countries.
 The two leaders strongly condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.
 Prime Minister Modi welcomed Greece into the International Solar Alliance (ISA) and looked
forward to Greece’s membership of the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI).

Phone No: 9966436874, 8374232308 2